Ukraine's estranged "orange revolution" allies have signed an agreement in principle to reunite in a coalition following parliamentary elections. The key question of who will become the next prime minister is still undecided. "We declare our intention to create a coalition of democratic forces," read the framework agreement penned by President Viktor Yushchenko's Our Ukraine, the bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko and the Socialists. The document lays out steps the trio will take on their way to formally creating a majority coalition in parliament after the newly-elected chamber convenes for its first session. The three blocs together will control 243 seats in the 450-member Upper Rada legislature following a March 26 parliamentary ballot. But it remains unclear whether Ms Tymoshenko will return to head the government. "Let's not name any names... everything in due course," Roman Bezsmertnyi, a top Our Ukraine official, said.
The fiery "orange revolution" heroine split with the Ukrainian President after he fired her as premier last September. She has demanded a return to the premiership in any union after she drubbed Mr Yushchenko's party in the March ballot. Analysts say Mr Yushchenko opposes Ms Tymoshenko's premiership because he does not trust the ambitious and charismatic politician.